Striker Samuel back from muscle injury

National footballer Shandell Samuel is almost back to full fitness. Samuel, who tore a muscle in his right knee in February, while on duty with Trinidad and Tobago semi professional club CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, returned to competitive action last month, after a seven month lay off.{{more}}

Samuel’s injury which required surgery, meant he missed out on the greater part of his club’s 2007 campaign.

Battling to get back to his optimum level, the speedy striker told SEARCHLIGHT on Saturday via telephone from Trinidad and Tobago, that he was about ninety percent fit, and was doing a lot of strength work, to get where he wants to be.

Samuel said that his long lay off was a painful experience.

“It is the longest I (have) been out of action; It was hard, just couldn’t handle it”, said Samuel.

But since his return, Samuel has done what he is paid to do, score goals.

From the Central Leeward town of Layou, Samuel has scored six goals from his five matches. He had a five goal blitz in club match in the pro league, and knocked in one for Jabloteh, against CSD Barber of Curacao in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championships.

With Jabloteh failing to win the CFU competition, Samuel said that he would be trying to get his name on the score sheet as much as he can, as the season there ends December 18.

With some delight Samuel was thankful for his employers who stuck with him during his ordeal. Samuel revealed to SEARCHLIGHT that despite his restrictive appearance this year, he is assured to return to Jabloteh next year, having secured another year on his contract.

Samuel, who turns 25, on December 14, had a previous stint last year with another semi professional club in the twin island republic, North East Stars.

Regarded as one of the nippiest strikers in the region, Samuel played professionally in Malaysia for a short period in 2005.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ leading goal scorer for the past three years, Samuel said he was looking forward to representing this country in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, which start early in 2008. (RT)